A FEMALE care worker stuffed toilet paper in the mouth of a dementia sufferer before kicking him in the chest, a court heard today.

Bulelwa Qondela is accused of dragging a dementia sufferer and attacking him

Bulelwa Qondela, 44, is accused of dragging Alan Brown out of his chair and attacking him after a row over cutting his toenails.

The pensioner was left with bruises on his face, chest and knee, Snaresbrook Crown Court, London, heard.

Qondela, who works at Care Link Residential Home in Ilford, east London, allegedly smashed Mr Brown’s pocket watch, twisted his fingers and kicked him after knocking him to his bedroom floor in June last year.

Richard Milne, prosecuting, said Qondela “lost it” after an argument and took out her frustrations on him.

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Qondela works at Care Link Residential Home in Ilford, east London

I’m going to suggest you lost it, you lost your temper with Alan Brown

Richard Milne, prosecuting

Mr Milne, addressing Qondela, told the court: “I’m going to suggest you lost it, you lost your temper with Alan Brown. You stuffed paper in his mouth to shut him up, you meanly took his chair away.

“He tried to get it back. You broke his pocket watch. He was being very difficult and you sorted him out using improper means.”

Qondela denied attacking Mr Brown and insisted: “I have high regard and all the respect for him.”

She also denied breaking his pocket watch.

Mr Brown, who is in his late 60s, was said to be scared of the carer.

When questioned about this, Qondela told the court: “I never did anything to make him quiet. Reassuring him was my priority.”

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Qondela denies one count of ill treatment between June 11 and June 13 last year

Qondela told jurors the only injuries she was aware of were cuts from shaving him.

She said she would have reported any other cuts or bruises, but was asked by Mr Milne: “Do you understand the difference between bruising and cuts, Miss Qondela? Did you tell him anything he couldn’t mention?”

Mr Brown told another member of staff at the residential home about the incident but was worried about detailing how he got his injuries, fearing he would get in trouble for “saying anything”, the court heard.

Qondela, of Ilford, denies one count of ill treatment between June 11 and June 13 last year.

The trial continues.

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